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"Millie” Lyng

Mildred “Millie” May Lyng, a 53-year resident of Kettle Falls, passed away on Feb. 20, 2012. Millie was born on Feb. 2, 1927 in Raley, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of Morton Harrison and Edna (Severson) Caufield. She moved into the United States as a young child, traveling between communities where work opportunities were available for her family. In her teen years, Millie moved to Northeast Washington where she graduated from high school at Medical Lake. While in Spokane, she worked for the Medical Lake State Hospital and at the “Shack” as a waitress. Millie then moved to Dutton, MT to be near her sisters. In 1949, she married Lloyd Trebesch and they resided on the Trebesch family wheat farm. Millie helped tend to the needs of the farm, as well as caring for her growing family and an elderly mother-in-law. In 1959, she and her two daughters relocated to Kettle Falls. She was reunited with her previous employers and best friend, Helen and Freddie Houck, and they offered her a job at Freddie’s Restaurant in Kettle Falls. On Nov. 1, 1960, Millie married Axel Lyng and together they made Kettle Falls their home. Millie loved her role as a mother and was able to focus her full attention on the needs of her family for several years. She worked for many years at the Ste¬vens County Courthouse as a bailiff for Judge Larry Kristian¬son. Millie retired but then returned again before retiring for good a few years later. Millie loved people and the time shared with family and friends was always her favorite. She was a wonderful storyteller and took her grandchildren on many enjoyable trips down memory lane. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren af¬fectionately nicknamed her “G.G.,” which she adored. She also grew a beautiful flower garden and plentiful vegetable gardens, canning much of her harvest. League bowling with Axel was a hobby of which she fondly reminisced. Millie was not one to sit idle; her adventurous spirit grew with her years and inspired her to venture on many memorable events during her annual Snow-birding in Florida such as Lakers and Braves games, a Caribbean cruise, wine tasting and trips to Georgia. She also enjoyed summer trips to Montana, as well as other various sites across the U.S. She was a longtime member of the Colville Eagles Lodge. Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Axel, in 1997; and by her siblings, Harrison, Fay, Sherman, Doris, Thelma, and Ruth.She is survived by her two daughters, Laurieann Chester, Kettle Falls; Debra Jean Trebesch, Polson, MT; one brother, Grant Caufield (Sally), Yuma, AZ; four grandchildren, Kim Schmitz (Jon), Jason Tracy, Michelle Skees (Chris) and Codi Sorensen(Shaun); five great-grandchildren, Alex, Gavin, Greg¬ory, Maggee and Sawyer; She also loved numerous nieces and nephews. Millie was also survived by her good friend, Frank Slagle. The funeral service for Mrs. Mildred “Millie” Lyng was held Feb. 24 at the Assembly of God Church in Colville. A graveside service was held at the Highland Cemetery in Colville. Pastor George Beers officiated. Memorial contributions may be given to Relay for Life. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory was entrusted with the arrangements.